In this episode of 'The Next Next,' host Jason Jacobs delves into the complexities of athlete development through a conversation with former professional hockey player Hunter Bishop. Hunter discusses his unique journey from playing in junior leagues to founding Hunter Bishop Hockey, which offers development programs for players of all ages. The discussion touches on the importance of maintaining passion for the game, the balance between specialized and translatable skills, and the role of video analysis in player development. Hunter also reflects on his own career decisions, such as leaving the University of North Dakota to return to junior hockey, and provides advice for both aspiring athletes and their parents on navigating the challenging path to professional sports while also preparing for life beyond the rink. 

00:00 Introduction to the Show and Host 

00:21 Guest Introduction: Hunter Bishop's Hockey Journey 

01:29 Hunter's Early Career and College Decisions 

05:06 Hunter Bishop Hockey: From Player to Coach 

10:12 The Importance of Multi-Sport Athletes 

15:19 Balancing Passion and Structure in Player Development 

21:34 The Decision to Leave North Dakota 

27:42 Navigating High School and Junior Hockey Decisions 

28:39 Balancing Hockey Dreams with Life Goals 

29:12 The Role of Hockey in Personal Development 

31:28 Transitioning Out of Professional Hockey 

33:19 Building a Post-Hockey Career 

37:15 The Importance of Skill Development in Hockey 

42:24 Leveraging Video for Player Development 

52:31 Future of Player Development and Technology 

56:12 Final Thoughts and Parting Words

Note: Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).